Most Recent

Jan 10, 2012 at 5:32 PM

BPS has engaged in various efforts over the past several years to increase the adoption of solar energy technologies and to transform the market for solar in Portland and beyond. Working with partners, BPS has provided outreach and education, zoning code changes, and technical support for neighborhood-driven campaigns for purchasing solar panels (Solarize Portland). These efforts have significantly spurred the installation of solar on residential and business properties. Installed photovoltaic (PV) capacity in Portland is now close to 10 megawatts.

However, installation and direct ownership of on-site solar remains out of reach for many Portlanders for a variety of reasons, including site ownership, financial commitment, and solar resource constraints such as shading or roof orientation. Community solar represents a new addition to Portland's tools for transforming the local market for solar energy. Community solar is intended to make participation in the installation of PV systems available and accessible to a wider, more diverse audience of Portlanders, including renters, homeowners with shaded properties, and those wanting to fund PV in smaller increments than a typical residential system.

BPS's project objectives include:

Making solar energy generation more accessible to Portland citizens for whom direct ownership of solar on their own roofs is not feasible.

Providing opportunity for funding of solar energy in affordable increments.

Demonstrating a model for community-owned solar in Oregon under current legal and regulatory conditions.

Providing some return of benefits to community members who contribute funding for system construction costs.

Fostering the development of a replicable program model and ownership structure for community solar, such as the establishment of a solar funding cooperative that could sustain itself beyond a one-time effort.

Through this proposal BPS is seeking to facilitate collaborative relationships between:

private-sector parties that have federal tax liability and an interest in owning solar electric systems;

public-sector entities that own roof space and have policies that support renewable energy development; and

Jan 12, 2012 at 1:30 PM

Review the proposed concept for land use, local transportation, open space and green systems and potential improvements to the I-5 Broadway/Weidler freeway interchange.

Are you interested in issues affecting the Lower Albina, Rose Quarter and Lloyd District areas of the Central City? How about the I-5 freeway and how it impacts the area around the Broadway/Weidler interchange? Please join us at an open house for the N/NE Quadrant and I-5 Broadway/Weidler Plans.

After extensive public input, the project team and Stakeholder Advisory Committee have developed a draft proposed concept for future land use, urban design and local transportation in the area, as well as options for proposed improvements to the Broadway/Weidler freeway interchange. At the February 2nd open house, these concepts will be on display and City of Portland and Oregon Department of Transportation staff will be on hand to answer questions, receive public feedback and discuss the project.

Learn more about and comment on:

Future direction for land use and urban form

Street design and connectivity

New parks and open space

Ways to incorporate green infrastructure

Safety and operational improvements for the Broadway/Weidler freeway interchange

This is a great opportunity to weigh in on the draft proposals and let the Stakeholder Committee know what you think. We hope you join us!

Other opportunities to get involved

Stakeholder Advisory Committee meetings are open to the public and offer a public comment period. Upcoming meetings include (see project calendar for details):

January 19, 2012 This meeting will focus on the freeway component of the project. Staff will present a proposed hybrid freeway improvement concept and discuss outstanding issues to be resolved.

February 16, 2012: This meeting will address both the quadrant plan and freeway components of the project. Staff will report on public input received at the February 2nd open house and seek Stakeholder Advisory Committee approval of the proposed concepts for the quadrant plan and freeway interchange project. The concept plans will then be used as a basis for developing more detailed proposals in the next phase of work.

Jan 17, 2012 at 5:47 PM

From cheesemaking to beekeeping to urban gardening to food preservation, Urban Growth Bounty provides all the tools you need to do it yourself.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJanuary 17, 2012CALENDAR ADVISORY

CONTACTSteve CohenBureau of Planning and Sustainability503-823-4225steve.cohen@portlandoregon.gov

Christine LlobregatBureau of Planning and Sustainability503-823-7007christine.llobregat@portlandoregon.gov

City of Portland's Urban Growth Bounty series returns with classes on growing, preparing and preserving food

From cheesemaking to beekeeping to urban gardening to food preservation, Urban Growth Bounty provides all the tools you need to do it yourself.

Since its kickoff in 2009, thousands of Portlanders have been able to explore the world of urban homesteading (and to meet others who share their interest) through the Urban Growth Bounty classes. Now entering its fourth year, the 2012 series includes courses on beekeeping, urban livestock, cheesemaking, food preservation, and multiple types of gardening. On-line registration is available at www.portlandonline.com/bps/ugb.

"The Urban Growth Bounty classes are a great value and a wonderful way to kickstart your 2012 food growing season," says Portland Mayor Sam Adams. "There's always more to learn about how to grow, preserve and eat sustainably on a budget."

Presented by the City of Portland's Bureau of Planning and Sustainability, 2012 brings back an exciting lineup of expert instructors and an array of classes for all skill levels. Courses will take place from February to July at locations across the city.

A brand new class, Introduction to Food Preservation, Jams, and Jellies debuts in May. Returning also are the most popular classes from the past two years, Cheesemaking with Claudia Lucero and Edible Landscaping with Jen Aron.

About the City of Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability

To create and enhance a vibrant city, BPS combines the disciplines of planning and sustainability to advance Portland's diverse and distinct neighborhoods, promote a prosperous and low-carbon economy, and help ensure that people and the natural environment are healthy and integrated into the cityscape. BPS provides a forum for community engagement and education, and is a catalyst for action. With a city full of partners, BPS develops creative and practical solutions on issues as far ranging as comprehensive, neighborhood and environmental planning, urban design, waste reduction and recycling, energy efficiency and solar technologies. This innovative, interdisciplinary approach strengthens Portland's position as an international model of sustainable development practices and commerce. www.portlandonline.com/bps

Jan 19, 2012 at 3:20 PM

BPS

MEDIA ADVISORY

Grants for Youth Projects Now AvailableYouth 21 and under eligible for up to $1,000 for projects that improve Portland

Portland, ORE. - Portland's youth now have a chance to fund their great ideas. Thanks to a partnership between the City of Portland’s Youth Planning Program, Portland Community College (PCC) Students4Giving, PCC Foundation, the Multnomah Youth Commission, Global Citizen Corps of Mercy Corps, and the Office of Mayor Sam Adams, outstanding youth proposals will be awarded a total of $10,000 for projects that help improve Portland for youth.

Who: Any youth (21 and under) who live, go to school, work or play in Portland and would like to apply for up to $1,000 to improve Portland!

The Youth Action Grants support new and creative youth-initiated and youth-led projects, particularly those that engage large numbers of youth, broaden youth skills and involve new youth leadership. Grants will be awarded to projects that prioritize a specific article of Our Bill of Rights: Children + Youth in order to help make the bill come alive for the youth of Portland.

The strongest proposals for projects will be awarded funding in March, and the projects will be conducted in spring 2012.

One of last year’s grant recipients, Oregon DREAMers, held a community banquet that screened “Papers,” a documentary that highlights stories of undocumented youth and raises awareness about tuition equity. The DREAM Act would give undocumented youth a path toward citizenship through college or military service. The banquet was attended by over 60 people, which included an engaging panel discussion for all. The banquet allowed the DREAMers to educate Portland about this important disparity among youth today, while building their own community service and event organizing skills.

Erika Molina, youth organizer with Oregon DREAMers, said, “We really wanted to provide a space for the community to come and learn about issues affecting our community and how to get involved. This project [and the action grant gave] us an opportunity to connect our work with Our Bill of Rights: Children + Youth.”

Support youth voice in Portland. Apply now to help improve Portland today!

BPS will make reasonable accommodation for people with disabilities. Please notify us no fewer than five (5) business days prior to the event by phone 503-823-7700, by the TTY line at 503-823-6868 or by the Oregon Relay Service at 1-800-735-2900.

Jan 24, 2012 at 9:23 AM

Public comments being processed and incorporated

Thank you to everyone who commented on the Proposed Draft Portland Plan! The Planning and Sustainability Commission (PSC) received more than 170 written comments from individuals, businesses, community groups, and other bureaus, agencies and organizations. Wonder what happened to them all? Everyone’s comments are available online in the format they were submitted.

The PSC held three hearings and three work sessions at which they listened to and discussed the comments they heard at the hearings and read in everyone’s letters. The final worksession is tonight starting at 7:15 p.m. If you can't attend, Channel 30 tapes the meetings and broadcasts them regularly.

PSC Meetings on Channel 30

Every Friday at 3 p.m.

1st and 3rd Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.

1st and 3rd Sunday at 7 a.m.

A revised version of the Proposed Draft Portland Plan will be presented to the PSC on Feb. 28, 2012, with a goal of presenting a Recommended Draft Portland Plan to City Council by mid-April.